Hinged backing apparatus for jewelry and piercings

ABSTRACT

Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different apparatus and systems relating to hinged backing apparatuses for jewelry and piercings. One aspect disclosed herein relates to articles of jewelry and particularly stud earrings and other jewelry to be introduced and fixed in a hole practiced in some parts of the body (earlobes, mouth, nostril, etc.).

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present Application is a Continuation-in-Part of pendingInternational Patent Application No. PCT/FR2011/000282, titled “SYSTEMFOR EAR STUDS OR PIERCINGS”, naming DANIEL ABOU ASSI as inventor, andfiled May 9, 2011, designating the United States, which claims benefitfrom French Patent Application Serial No. 1002559, titled “SYSTEME DECLOUS D′OREILLES OU PIERCINGS”, naming ABOU ASSI et al. as inventor, andfiled 17 Jun. 2010. Each of these applications is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and for all purposes.

The present application claims benefit, pursuant to the provisions of 35U.S.C. §119, of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/613,679(Attorney Docket No. BARIP003P), titled “HINGED EARRING APPARATUS ANDCOMPONENTS THEREOF”, naming ABOU ASSI et al. as inventors, and filed 21Mar. 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference forall purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to pieces of jewelry, and moreparticularly stud earrings and other pieces of jewelry intended to beinserted and fastened in a piercing formed in certain parts of the humanbody (earlobe, mouth, nostril, and others).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a piece of jewelry intended to be placed in apiercing, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the piece ofjewelry being shown with its locking member in the inactive position.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the piece of jewelry of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views respectively corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2, butwith a cutaway showing a spring housed inside the locking member.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, but showing the locking memberin the active position immobilizing the piece of jewelry.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the piece of jewelryaccording to the invention, shown with its locking member in theinactive position, with a cutaway showing the leaf spring housed insidethe locking member.

FIG. 7 is a front view with a cutaway corresponding to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the shaft constituting an element of the pieceof jewelry of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, but showing the locking memberin the immobilization position of the piece of jewelry.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a piece of jewelry intended to be placed in apiercing, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the piece ofjewelry being shown with its locking member in the inactive position.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the piece of jewelry of FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views respectively corresponding to FIGS. 10 and 11,but with a cutaway showing a spring housed inside the locking member and

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 12, but showing the lockingmember in the active immobilization position of the piece of jewelry.

FIG. 15 provides an example illustration showing a pivoting movement ofhinged backing member 1505.

FIG. 16 provides an illustrative example showing how a hinged backingearring embodiment may be worn by a user.

FIGS. 17A-B illustrate various aspects and features of a spring tensionadjustment assembly design in accordance with a specific embodiment.

FIGS. 18A-C show different views of one embodiment of a removablyattachable hinged backing assembly.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of an alterntate embodiment of aremovably attachable hinged backing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Overview

Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to differentapparatus and systems relating to hinged backing apparatuses for jewelryand piercings.

One aspect disclosed herein relates to articles of jewelry andparticularly stud earrings and other jewelry to be introduced and fixedin a hole practiced in some parts of the body (earlobes, mouth, nostril,etc.).

Another aspect disclosed herein relates to an apparatus to be placed ina piercing made in the human body, comprising: a shaft designed to passthrough said piercing and a locking member, said shaft comprising aremovable segment and a support intended to receive said removablesegment, one in the extension of the other; said segment being providedto bear a decorative pattern at an end opposite the support, and thesupport cooperating with a locking member; said locking member beingarticulated at one end of the support opposite said segment, so as toassume a first position, in which the locking member is in the extensionof said shaft, and a second position, in which the locking member issubstantially perpendicular to the shaft; and an elastic membercooperating with said support and the locking member to ensure thestability of said first and second positions.

Another aspect disclosed herein relates to a removably attachable hingedbacking apparatus for jewelry comprising: a stem having a first endportion affixable to a jewelry mounting bracket, the stem having asecond end portion; a pivot backing assembly including; a pivotingbacking member; a stem connector member; and a pivoting joint assembly;wherein the pivoting backing member movably secured, via the pivotingjoint assembly, to the stem connector member in a manner which enablesthe pivot backing member to movably pivot relative to the stem connectormember; wherein the pivot backing assembly is designed to be removablyattachable to the stem. In at least one embodiment, the pivot backingassembly is designed to be removably attachable to the stem such thatthe pivot backing assembly may be removed/attached from/to the removablestem without requiring removal or modification of the any portion of thepivoting joint assembly. In at least one embodiment, the pivotingbacking member includes a tension adjustment mechanism for enablingdynamic adjustment of tension of the pivoting joint assembly.

Various objects, features and advantages of the various aspectsdescribed or referenced herein will become apparent from the followingdescriptions of its example embodiments, which descriptions should betaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the various aspectsdescribed or referenced herein may become apparent from the followingdescription of its preferred embodiments, which description may be takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Specific Example Embodiments

Various techniques may now be described in detail with reference to afew example embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. In the following description, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or moreaspects and/or features described or reference herein. It may beapparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more aspectsand/or features described or reference herein may be practiced withoutsome or one or more of these specific details. In other instances, wellknown process steps and/or structures have not been described in detailin order to not obscure some of the aspects and/or features described orreference herein.

One or more different inventions may be described in the presentapplication. Further, for one or more of the invention(s) describedherein, numerous embodiments may be described in this patentapplication, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. Thedescribed embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. Oneor more of the invention(s) may be widely applicable to numerousembodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. Theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to practice one or more of the invention(s), and it is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural,logical, software, electrical and other changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the one or more of the invention(s).Accordingly, those skilled in the art may recognize that the one or moreof the invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications andalterations. Particular features of one or more of the invention(s) maybe described with reference to one or more particular embodiments orFigures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which areshown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of one or more ofthe invention(s). It may be understood, however, that such features arenot limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments orFigures with reference to which they are described. The presentdisclosure is neither a literal description of one or more embodimentsof one or more of the invention(s) nor a listing of features of one ormore of the invention(s) that may be present in one or more embodiments.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the titleof this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Devices that are in communication with at least one other need not be incontinuous communication with at least one other, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication withat least one other may communicate directly or indirectly through one ormore intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith at least one other does not imply that one or more such componentsare required. To the contrary, a variety of optional components aredescribed to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of oneor more of the invention(s).

When a single device or article is described, it may be readily apparentthat more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may beused in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than onedevice or article is described (whether or not they cooperate), it maybe readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place ofthe more than one device or article.

The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternativelyembodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly describedas having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of one ormore of the invention(s) need not include the device itself. Techniquesand mechanisms described or reference herein may sometimes be describedin singular form for clarity. However, it may be noted that particularembodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multipleinstantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise.

The present invention relates to pieces of jewelry, and moreparticularly stud earrings and other pieces of jewelry intended to beinserted and fastened in a piercing formed in certain parts of the humanbody (earlobe, mouth, nostril, and others).

The known pieces of jewelry of this type are generally formed by a shaftintended to be inserted into the piercing to be decorated and thevisible end of which is secured to a decorative element (a diamond, forexample), while its other end (not visible) is intended to receive aseparable locking member, for example a nut screwing onto a thread ofthe end of the shaft and which keeps the piece of jewelry in place.

These known pieces of jewelry, which, due to their intended use, aresmall, have the drawback that their locking member is very small, sothat it is difficult to manipulate to place it on the end of the shaft,in particular when it is done without visibility (behind the ear) orwithout accessibility (nostril, mouth, etc.). Furthermore, due to thevery small size of this locking member, it has a high risk of being lostwhen it separates from the shaft.

The present invention aims to resolve the aforementioned drawbacks, andto that end proposes a system intended to be implemented in a piercingformed in the human body, whereof the immobilization, once in place, isdone particularly easily and reliably, even without visibility or withlow accessibility, and which does not have any risk of losing one of itselements despite the small size of the piece of jewelry.

To that end, the system according to the invention, intended to beplaced in a piercing formed in the human body, comprises a shaftdesigned to pass through said piercing, the shaft having, at the endthereof that is visible after insertion into the piercing, a decorativeelement, and the other end of the shaft cooperating with a lockingmember that keeps said shaft in its insertion position and allows it tobe removed when desired. It is characterized in that said locking memberis articulated to said other end of the shaft so as to assume a firstposition in which it is in the extension of the shaft while allowing theplacement thereof in the piercing or its removal outside said piercing,and a second position in which the locking member is substantiallyperpendicular to the shaft while prohibiting the latter part fromleaving the piercing, an elastic member cooperating with the shaft andthe locking member ensuring the stability of said two positions of thelatter part.

It will be understood that the piece of jewelry according to theinvention is thus made in a single piece, without separable elements,and therefore with any risk of loss thereof, and without handlingdifficulty, since it is necessary only to tilt the locking member at aright angle relative to the shaft, and not to manipulate a separablemember that must be kept in the correct position to be able to besecured. According to one advantageous embodiment, the end of the shaftopposite that bearing the decorative pattern has a flattened shapeengaged between two parallel axial extensions of the locking member,said flattened end of the shaft and the two extensions of the lockingmember having opposite openings that are passed through by a hinge pin.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the elastic member isformed by a compression spring housed axially in a cavity of the lockingmember, this spring engaging the bottom of said cavity by one end, and,by its other end, the articulated part of the shaft (possibly withinsertion of a piston).

According to another embodiment of the invention, the elastic member ismade up of a leaf spring positioned axially in a housing of the lockingmember, one end of said leaf being fixed in the housing and the oppositeend of the leaf having a beveled portion that, in the maintenanceposition, engages a beveled end of the flattened portion of the shaft.

According to another embodiment, the system to be placed in a piercingformed in the human body comprises a shaft intended to pass through saidpiercing and a locking member, and it is characterized in that the shaftcomprises a removable segment and a support intended to receive saidremovable segment in the extension of one another, said segment beingprovided to bear, at an end opposite the support, a decorative pattern,and the support cooperating with a locking member, said locking memberbeing articulated to one end of the support opposite said segment, so asto assume a first position, in which the locking member is in theextension of said shaft, and a second position, in which the lockingmember is substantially perpendicular to the shaft, an elastic membercooperating with said support and with the locking member to ensure thestability of said first and second positions. The end of the supportopposite the segment can advantageously have a flattened shape and beengaged between two parallel axial extensions of the locking member, theflattened end and the two extensions having openings positioned oppositeone another which are passed through by a hinge pin.

The elastic member can be made up of a compression spring housed axiallyin a cavity of the locking member, said spring comprising a first endbearing on the bottom of the cavity and a second end engaged, at leastindirectly, with the flattened end of the support. The bottom of thecavity can comprise a spherical end forming a support for the first endof the spring.

Advantageously, the system can comprise a piston inserted between thesecond end of the compression spring and the flattened portion of thesupport.

The end of the segment opposite the support can also comprise adecorative element.

To make the invention better understood, below we will describe, asnon-limiting examples, two preferred embodiments in reference to theappended diagrammatic drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a piece of jewelry according tothe invention, comprising a shaft 1 intended to be placed in a piercingformed, for example, in the earlobe. The shaft 1 comprises, at itsvisible end (not hidden by the ear), diverging arms 2 that serve ashousings to secure a decorative pattern (not shown), for example adiamond.

The opposite end of the shaft 1 forms a portion 3 flattened on twoopposite surfaces, which are engaged between two parallel extensions 4of the outer wall of a hollow cylindrical locking member 5. In thatposition, a transverse opening 6 of the portion 3 of the shaft 1 comesopposite openings 7 formed in the extensions 4 of the locking member 5and a pin 8 is mounted in the openings 6, 7 to connect the shaft 1 andthe locking member 5 together, according to a hinged assembly.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 3 to 5, a compression spring 9 ispositioned axially inside the body of the locking member 5. The end ofthe spring 9 situated opposite the shaft 1 is hooked to a transverse pinsecured to the locking member 5, while the opposite end of the spring 9is hooked to a piece 10 forming a piston that tends to protrude outsidethe locking member 5 to engage the end 3 of the shaft 1. It isunderstood that in a first position shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shaft 1and the locking member 5 are in an aligned position that makes itpossible to place the shaft 1 in the piercing of the earlobe, or toremove it therefrom, and this manipulation is done more easily inasmuchas, in this position, the piston 10 engages the end surface of theflattened portion 3 of the shaft 1, while stabilizing that alignedposition of the shaft 1 and the locking member 5. To ensure themaintenance of the shaft 1 thus inserted, it is sufficient to tilt thelocking member 5 around the pin 8 in the position shown in FIG. 5 wherethe locking member 5 is perpendicular to the shaft 1. The locking member5 is maintained stably in this new position by engaging the piston 1,under the action of the spring 9, of a side surface of the end 3 of theshaft 1.

According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 9,the compression spring 9 is replaced by a leaf spring 11 housed axiallyin the locking member 5. At its end opposite the shaft 1, the leafspring 11 has, at its upper portion, a notch 12 that engages on atransverse pin 13 secured to the locking member 5, while at its otherend, the leaf spring 11 has a beveled shape 14 at its lower portionending with a substantially flattened portion 15.

As shown in FIG. 8, the flattened end 3 of the shaft 1 is more elongatedon its lower portion than on its upper portion and thus ends with abeveled end surface 16. Furthermore, the elongated upper portion of theflattened end 3 of the shaft 1 has a longitudinal groove 17. It isunderstood that, in the inactive position of the locking member 5 shownin FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the shaft 1 and the locking member 5 arealigned, the leaf spring 11 presses by its flattened end 15 against theelongated portion of the end of the shaft 1, engaging inside the groove17. This aligned position is thus kept stable while allowing the easyinsertion of the assembly into the piercing of the earlobe, or its easyremoval. After this insertion, tilting the locking member 5 by 90degrees makes it possible to reach its maintenance position (FIG. 8).This position is then maintained stably by the bearing of the beveledportion 14 of the leaf spring 11 on the beveled end surface 16 of theflattened end 3 of the shaft 1.

FIGS. 10 to 14 show a third embodiment of the piece of jewelry accordingto the invention, comprising a shaft 1 formed from a removable segment118 and a support 101 intended to receive the removable segment 118 byscrewing or snapping. This shaft 1, made from two substantially alignedportions 101, 118, is intended to be placed in a piercing formed, forexample, in the lobe of the ear. The removable segment 118 comprises, atits visible end (not hidden by the ear), a flat surface 102 that servesto receive various jewelry elements, for example a ring, a bezel (notshown) for fastening a decorative pattern (not shown).

An end of the support 101 opposite the removable segment 118 has aportion 3 flattened on two opposite surfaces, which engages between twoparallel extensions 4 of the outer wall of the hollow cylindricallocking member 5 and a pin 8 is mounted in the openings 6, 7 to connectthe support 101 and the locking member 5 together according to a hingedassembly.

On the portion 3 of the support 101, a central notch 121 is formed. Onthe portions 4 of the hollow cylindrical member 5, also called a sheath,flats 24 are formed.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 12 and 14, a compression spring 9 ispositioned axially inside the body of the locking member 5. The end ofthe spring 9 situated opposite the support 101 bears on a pin with aspherical tip 119, with or without a slot. This spherical-ended tip 119is connected to the locking member 5 either by screwing or by snapping,or by fitting, or by adhesion.

The end of the spring 9 situated opposite the spherical-ended pin 119bears on a centering intermediate pin 125, which in turn bears on apiece 10 forming a piston that tends to protrude outside the lockingmember 5 to engage the end 3 of the support 101.

It is understood that in a first position shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, theshaft 1 and the locking member 5 are in an aligned position that makesit possible to place the shaft 1 in the piercing of the earlobe, or toremove it therefrom, and this manipulation is all the easier to doinasmuch as, in that position, the piston 10 engages the end surface ofthe flattened portion 3 of the shaft 1 while stabilizing this alignedposition of the shaft 1 and the locking member 5.

To maintain the shaft 1 thus inserted, it suffices to tilt the lockingmember 5 around the pin 8 in the position shown in FIG. 14, where thelocking member 5 is stably maintained in this new position by engagementby the piston 10, under the action of the spring 9 of the slightlyinclined side surface 122 of the end 3 of the support 101.

It will be indicated, non-limitingly, that the shaft 1 and the lockingmember 5 can have a diameter of 9/10 mm, and the hinge pin 8 can have adiameter of 3/10 mm.

FIG. 15 provides an example illustration showing a pivoting movement ofpivoting backing member 1505. As illustrated in the example embodimentof FIG. 15, the hinged backing apparatus 1550 includes stem portion 1501and pivoting backing member portion 1505 which is configured or designedto pivot along path 1507 from and “open” position (e.g., Position A) toa “locking” or “closed” position (Position B) and vice versa. Accordingto different embodiments, one end of stem portion 1501 may be affixed toa jewelry mounting bracket 1502 or similar type component.

FIG. 16 provides an illustrative example showing how a hinged backingearring embodiment may be worn by a user. As illustrated in the exampleembodiment of FIG. 16, the user, who is assumed to have an ear lobepiercing, inserts the pivoting backing member 1505 and stem portion 1501through the ear lobe piercing of ear lobe 160 luntil the pivotingbacking member protrudes from the other side of the earlobe. The stemportion 1501 remains in the user's ear lobe 1601, and the pivotingbacking member 1505 is flipped up or moved by the user into a “locking”position (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 16), thereby serving as a backingfor the earring which prevents or inhibits the stem portion 1501 frombeing removed from the earlobe.

FIGS. 17A-B illustrate various aspects and features of a spring tensionadjustment mechanism design in accordance with a specific embodiment. Inat least one embodiment, as illustrated in the example embodiment ofFIG. 17A, pivoting backing member 1705 may include a spring tensionadjustment mechanism 1750 which has been designed to allow a user toadjust the spring tension and related “hinge tension” associated withthe movement and adjustability of the pivoting backing assembly. Asillustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 17A, spring tensionadjustment mechanism 1750 may include: a rotatable cap member 1710, anadjustable spring tension adjustment set screw 1720, a spring 1732, arod or shaft 1734, etc. As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG.17A, all (or at least a portion) of the components of the spring tensionadjustment mechanism 1750 may be disposed within the hollow cavity 1706of the pivoting backing member 1705.

FIG. 17B shows an exploded view of the components within region 1770 ofFIG. 17A, in accordance with a specific embodiment. As illustrated inthe example embodiment of FIG. 17B, cap member 1710 may include tongueportion 1710 a which is inserted into slot portion 1720 a of springtension adjustment set screw 1720. Spring tension adjustment set screw1720 may be inserted within the hollow cavity of pivoting backing member1705, where the threads 1720 b of the set screw may engage with internalthreads 1705 a of the pivoting backing member.

As illustrated in the example embodiment of FIG. 17A, on end of setscrew 1720 may engage with internal spring 1732. In this particularembodiment, as the set screw is rotated in one direction (e.g.,counterclockwise) the set screw's engagement with the internal threads1705 a of the pivoting backing member causes the set screw to movefurther into the interior of the hollow cavity of the pivoting backingmember, thereby increasing the compression and spring tension of spring1732. The internal spring tension is transferred to shaft portion 1734which engages with the pivoting mechanism of the pivoting backingassembly, thereby increasing the “hinge tension” associated with themovement and adjustability of the pivoting backing assembly. Similarly,as the set screw is rotated in the other direction (e.g., clockwise) theset screw's engagement with the internal threads 1705 a of the pivotingbacking member causes the set screw to move toward the cap member 1710,thereby decreasing the compression and spring tension of spring 1732 anddecreasing the “hinge tension” associated with the movement andadjustability of the pivoting backing assembly. As illustrated in theexample embodiment of FIG. 17B, cap member 1710 may include a slotportion 1710 b for facilitating rotation of the cap member (e.g., eitherclockwise or counterclockwise).

In at least one embodiment, a portion of the hinge's tension adjustmentmechanism (e.g., a portion of spring tension adjustment mechanismportion 1750, FIG. 17) may be disposed within the internal cavity of thepivoting backing member. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, thespring tension adjustment mechanism enables a user to dynamically adjustthe spring tension and thereby the related “hinge tension” associatedwith the movement and adjustability of the pivoting backing assembly.

FIG. 18A shows a perspective view of a removably attachable hingedbacking assembly in which stem 1802 is shown detached from pivot backingassembly 1850. In the example embodiment of FIG. 18A, pivot backingassembly 1850 includes pivoting backing member 1852 which is pivotallysecured (e.g., pivoting joint assembly 1860) to stem connector member1854. The pivoting joint assembly 1860 is designed to allow pivotbacking member 1852 to pivot about pin 1861 for a range of about 90°, asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 15. In the specific example embodimentof FIG. 18A, stem connector member 1854 includes a male threadedconnector portion 1854 a, which is designed to screw into femalethreaded cavity portion 1802 a of stem 1802 to thereby securely attachstem 1802 to pivot backing assembly 1850, as illustrated in FIG. 18B.

FIG. 18B shows a perspective view of a removably attachable hingedbacking assembly in which stem 1802 is shown attached to pivot backingassembly 1850.

FIG. 18C shows a side view of a removably attachable hinged backingassembly in which stem portion 1802 is shown detached from pivot backingassembly 1850.

In at least one embodiment, the removably attachable hinged backingassembly (e.g., 1800) allows the pivot backing assembly 1850 to beremoved/attached from/to the removable stem 1802 without requiringremoval or modification of the pivot joint 1869 (or any portion of thepivot joint). Such a design provides extremely useful benefit ofallowing the removably attachable hinged backing assembly to be easilyand conveniently removed and/or replaced, as desired, without affectingthe stem-jewel assembly portion of the earring.

In an alternate embodiment, as show, for example, in FIG. 19, stemconnector member 1954 includes a hollow tubular portion 1954 withthreads on the inside cavity 1954 a designed to receive the malethreaded connector portion 1902 a of stem 1902.

The linear shape of the pivoting backing member, as well as the hingeddesign of the inspecting assembly, allows the pivoting backing member tobe easily inserted through the hole of a body piercing. In at least oneembodiment, the removably attachable hinged backing assembly (e.g., 300)includes at least one feature for preventing or inhibiting rotation ofthe pivoting backing member (and/or hinged coupling member) relative tostem portion of the assembly.

Although several example embodiments of one or more aspects and/orfeatures have been described in detail herein with reference to theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that aspects and/orfeatures are not limited to these precise embodiments, and that variouschanges and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in theart without departing from the scope of spirit of the invention(s) asdefined, for example, in the appended claims.

It is claimed:
 1. An apparatus to be placed in a piercing made in thehuman body, comprising: a shaft designed to pass through said piercingand a locking member, said shaft comprising a removable segment and asupport intended to receive said removable segment, one in the extensionof the other; said segment being provided to bear a decorative patternat an end opposite the support, and the support cooperating with alocking member; said locking member being articulated at one end of thesupport opposite said segment, so as to assume a first position, inwhich the locking member is in the extension of said shaft, and a secondposition, in which the locking member is substantially perpendicular tothe shaft; and an elastic member cooperating with said support and thelocking member to ensure the stability of said first and secondpositions.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end of thesupport opposite said segment has a flattened shape and is engagedbetween two parallel axial extensions of the locking member, aidflattened end and the two extensions having openings positioned oppositeone another that are passed through by a hinge pin.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the elastic member is formed by acompression spring housed axially in a cavity of the locking member,said spring comprising a first end bearing at the bottom of said cavityand a second end engaged, at least indirectly, with the flattened end ofthe support.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the bottomof the cavity comprises a spherical tip forming a bearing point for thefirst end of the spring.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 3, furthercomprising a piston inserted between the second end of the compressionspring and the flattened portion of the support.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 4, further comprising a piston inserted between thesecond end of the compression spring and the flattened portion of thesupport.
 7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the end of the segment opposite the support comprises adecorative element.
 8. A removably attachable hinged backing apparatusfor jewelry comprising: a stem having a first end portion affixable to ajewelry mounting bracket, the stem having a second end portion; a pivotbacking assembly including: a pivoting backing member; a stem connectormember; and a pivoting joint assembly; wherein the pivoting backingmember movably secured, via the pivoting joint assembly, to the stemconnector member in a manner which enables the pivot backing member tomovably pivot relative to the stem connector member; wherein the pivotbacking assembly is designed to be removably attachable to the stem. 9.The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the pivot backing assembly is designedto be removably attachable to the stem such that the pivot backingassembly may be removed/attached from/to the removable stem withoutrequiring removal or modification of the any portion of the pivotingjoint assembly.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: wherein the stemportion is cylindrical in shape; and wherein the pivoting backing memberis cylindrical in shape.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein: whereinthe stem portion is cylindrical in shape; wherein the pivoting backingmember is is cylindrical in shape; and wherein the stem includes athreaded cavity portion disposed at the second end of the screw; andwherein the stem connector member includes a male threaded connectorportion which is adapted to screw into the threaded cavity portion ofstem to thereby enable the pivot backing assembly to be removablyattachable to the stem.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8: wherein thepivoting backing member includes a tension adjustment mechanism forenabling dynamic adjustment of tension of the pivoting joint assembly.13. The apparatus of claim 8: wherein the pivoting backing memberincludes a cavity; wherein the pivoting backing member includes atension adjustment mechanism for enabling dynamic adjustment of tensionof the pivoting joint assembly; and wherein the tension adjustmentmechanism includes: a spring housed axially in the cavity of thepivoting backing member.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8: wherein thepivoting backing member includes a cavity; wherein the pivoting backingmember includes a tension adjustment mechanism for enabling dynamicadjustment of tension of the pivoting joint assembly; and wherein thetension adjustment mechanism includes: an adjustable spring housedaxially in the cavity of the pivoting backing member; a rotatable setscrew housed axially in the cavity of the pivoting backing member;wherein the tension adjustment mechanism is designed to enable dynamicadjustment of a compression and tension of the spring via rotation ofthe set screw.
 15. A removably attachable hinged backing system forjewelry comprising: stem means for securing a jewelry mounting bracketto a pivoting backing means, wherein the stem means is configured to beplaced in a piercing made in the human body; pivoting backing means forsecuring the stem means within the piercing, and wherein the pivotbacking means is adapted to be moved to a first position for securingthe stem within the piercing, and wherein the pivot backing means isadapted to be moved to a second position for facilitating insertion andremoval of the stem into/from the piercing; connector means forremovably securing the stem means to the pivoting backing means toenable the stem means to be removably attachable and detachable to/fromthe pivoting backing means. tension adjustment means for enablingdynamic adjustment of tension associated with movement of the pivotbacking means.